Responding to Emergencies NCHSE Foundation Standard 10.12

Goal Provide care that minimizes the effects of the injury/illness until health professionals with the highest level of training can take over. Using these skills can make the difference between life and death.

Good Samaritan Law Protects someone who provides aid to an injured person in an emergency. Teacher Information: A good samaritan in legal terms refers to someone who renders aid in an emergency to an injured person on a voluntary basis. Usually, if a volunteer comes to the aid of an injured or ill person who is a stranger, the person giving the aid owes the stranger a duty of being reasonably careful. A person is not obligated by law to do first aid in most states, not unless it's part of a job description. However, some states will consider it an act of negligence though, if a person doesn't at least call for help. Generally, where an unconscious victim cannot respond, a good samaritan can help them on the grounds of implied consent. However, if the victim is conscious and can respond, a person should ask their permission to help them first. Under the good samaritan laws which grant immunity, if the good samaritan makes an error while rendering emergency medical care, he or she cannot be held legally liable for damages in court. However, two conditions usually must be met; 1) the aid must be given at the scene of the emergency, and. 2) if the "volunteer" has other motives, such as the hope of being paid a fee or reward, then the law will not apply.

Accident Statistics Accidents 4th leading cause of death in the U.S. The leading cause of death for ages 1 – 37. Of 100,000 people in America… …14.6 will die in a motor vehicle accident.

Assess the environment. Call for help. Basic Principles Stay calm. Assess the environment. Call for help. Obtain consent to treat the victim. Try to determine what happened. Practice standard precautions. Teacher notes: WHY QUESTIONS After each principle, as students to explain “why” they should respond this way. The “why questions” will help them remember the principles being discussed. For the “call for help” bullet, ask who they would call, how, etc. Again, you want students to think about the possibilities. For the “obtain consent” ask if they need consent if the victim is unconscious, a child, etc.

Enlist help of bystanders. Basic Principles Enlist help of bystanders. Do not move the victim unless the situation is unsafe. Reassure the victim. Don’t give the victim anything to eat or drink. Do not discuss the victim’s condition with observers at the scene. Teacher notes: Continue with WHY QUESTIONS At the “Don’t give the victim anything to eat or drink.” bullet, ask if they can think of any examples when they would give the victim something to eat or drink.

Triage Treat life-threatening emergencies first. They include: No airway Stopped breathing Shock Anaphylaxis Poisoning Choking Uncontrolled bleeding

Do No Harm Your role is to take the appropriate action to help the victim(s) until the EMS arrives. When the EMS arrives, provide them with as much information as possible. Your prompt and thoughtful response can save lives.